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Georgia’s famous ‘hugging pups’ get a permanent home

These two hugging pups are now stars for an Alpharetta animal rescue group. (Credit: Angels Among Us)

A pair of North Georgia pups who gained fame over the summer when a photo of them “hugging” went viral finally have a permanent home.

Kala and Keira, an 8-month-old hound dog mix and a 1-year-old boxer mix, were adopted by two longtime roommates Wendy and Pam, who did not want their last name used for reasons of privacy.

In July, the dogs were destined for euthanasia before Alpharetta rescue group Angels Among Us posted the photo of them “hugging” on Facebook. Thousands shared the image. Within hours, a foster parent volunteered to care for Kala and Keira until they could be adopted.

That same month, the dogscame down with parvovirus — a disease that is highly contagious and often fatal. The search for a permanent home was temporarily halted while they received treatment.

Cris Folchitt, the volunteer, said it took awhile to find a suitable owner but a “perfect fit” happened when Wendy, who had recently lost her two elderly dogs, saw the People magazine story and realized the hugging pups were still available.

She said she and Pam hope to dedicate a Facebook page to the hugging pups to keep their fans apprised of their antics and possibly raise money for Angels Among Us. In September, the two were featured at an Angels Among Us fundraiser at Joey D’s Oak Room in Dunwoody, where a $20 donation bought a digital image with the two dogs and two drinks, along with the rescue group’s gratitude.

The rescue groups says it is a 501(c)(3) organization that has rescued more than 9,000 dogs and cats from high-kill shelters by putting them with foster volunteers.

The hugging dogs have found a new home with Wendy and Pam. (Credit: AngelsRescue.org)